Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty Surgery

Coming Soon! This procedure will soon be available at our Toronto facility. 

At Surgical Solutions Network, our fellowship-trained spine surgeons perform kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty surgery using advanced, minimally invasive techniques to help patients achieve relief from persistent pain and enhanced function and mobility.

What Are Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty Surgical Procedures?

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive spine procedures that treat painful vertebral compression fractures—small breaks or collapses in the bones of the spine, most often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or tumours. Both procedures involve injecting medical-grade bone cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilise it and help relieve pain. 

• Vertebroplasty stabilises the fracture by injecting cement directly into the vertebra. 
• Kyphoplasty adds an extra step: a small balloon is first inserted and gently inflated to create space and, in some cases, restore some vertebral height before cement is injected.

These procedures aim to alleviate back pain, enhance mobility, and help patients resume their normal activities more quickly. 

Understanding Treatment Effectiveness 

Recent evidence suggests that early intervention (within 3 to 6 weeks of fracture) may provide better outcomes than delayed treatment. Early vertebral augmentation in select patients has been associated with faster pain relief and improved functional recovery compared to conservative management alone. 

Compared to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty demonstrates superior vertebral height restoration and kyphotic angle correction, with some evidence of lower risk of adjacent vertebral fractures. 

Individual results vary considerably. Some patients experience dramatic pain relief, while others may have only partial improvement or minimal benefit beyond conservative treatment. 

What Do Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty Treat?

Your surgeon may recommend kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty for painful vertebral compression fractures caused by:  

• Osteoporosis (age-related or steroid-related bone weakening)  
• Spinal tumours or metastases (including multiple myeloma)  
• Certain traumatic compression fractures in appropriate candidates 

What Symptoms Should You Be Aware Of?

The symptoms below may indicate the need to be evaluated for kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty treatment at our Toronto surgery centre:  

• Sudden or gradually worsening mid-back or low-back pain 
• Pain that increases when standing or walking and is better when lying down 
• Loss of height or development of a stooped or hunched posture (kyphosis)  
• Difficulty with everyday activities such as walking, bending, or lifting  

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are generally considered when pain from a compression fracture is significant and persistent, and conservative treatments (rest, bracing, pain medications, physiotherapy) have not provided adequate relief after at least 3 weeks, and the fracture is relatively recent (ideally within 3 to 6 weeks). 

How Are the Surgeries Performed?

While details can vary depending on your surgeon’s technique and your unique needs, both kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty require small incisions to stabilize the spine, following these similar steps:  

Before surgery 

• You will undergo imaging tests (such as X-ray, MRI, or CT scan) to confirm the fracture, its age, and location. 
• Your medical history, medications, and overall health will be reviewed to make sure the procedure is safe and appropriate for you.  

Anaesthesia and positioning  

• Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are usually performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on your health and the number of levels treated. 
• You will lie face down on a specialised table. 

Vertebroplasty: step by step 

1. A small skin incision is made over the affected vertebra. 
2. A thin needle (trocar) is guided into the fractured vertebral body using live X-ray (fluoroscopy). 
3. Liquid bone cement is slowly injected into the vertebra, where it hardens within minutes and stabilises the fracture.  

Kyphoplasty: step by step 

1. A similar small incision and needle placement are performed. 
2. A tiny balloon is passed through the needle into the collapsed vertebra and gently inflated to create a cavity and, in some cases, partially restore height and reduce spinal curvature. 
3. The balloon is removed, and bone cement is injected into the cavity to stabilise the vertebra.  

Both procedures are done through tiny incisions, usually treat one or a few levels at a time, and often take less than an hour per fracture level. Many patients go home the same day. 

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

For appropriately selected patients, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty may offer:  

• Rapid pain relief – many patients notice significant improvement within days 
• Improved mobility and function – easier to stand, walk, and perform daily activities 
• Stabilisation of the fracture, reducing painful micro-movement of bone fragments 
• Potential partial restoration of vertebral height and posture with kyphoplasty 
• Minimally invasive approach – small incisions, limited blood loss, relatively short recovery 

Individual results vary. Some patients experience dramatic pain relief, while others may have only partial improvement. 

Who’s a Good Candidate?

You may be considered an ideal candidate for kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty if

• You have confirmed vertebral compression fractures on imaging that match your symptoms. 
• Your pain is moderate to severe, affects your ability to function, and has not improved with non-surgical treatment. 
• The fracture is relatively recent (often within weeks to a few months), or an older fracture remains painful and non-healed. 
• You are not a good candidate for more extensive open surgery due to age, bone quality, or other health conditions. 

You may not be a suitable candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery if you have: 

• Infection in the spine or bloodstream. 
• Uncorrected bleeding or clotting problems. 
• Compression fractures that are fully healed and no longer the source of pain. 
• Significant spinal canal compromise or neurological symptoms that require open decompression surgery. 

Your spine surgeon will review your imaging and overall health and discuss whether vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, another surgical spine procedure, or continued non-operative care is most appropriate.  

Risks and Complications: 

While serious complications are uncommon (occurring in less than 1-2% of cases for osteoporotic fractures), potential risks include: 

• Cement leakage (occurring in approximately 19-20% of procedures, though most cases are asymptomatic) 
• Nerve root injury from cement leakage  
• Pulmonary embolism from cement (approximately 0.1%) 
• New adjacent vertebral fractures (evidence suggests this may be lower with kyphoplasty) 
• Infection (osteomyelitis, epidural abscess) 
• Bleeding or hematoma 
• Rarely: spinal cord compression, respiratory failure, or cardiovascular events

Your spine surgeon will review these risks in detail and discuss how they apply to your specific situation.

Why Choose Surgical Solutions Network?

Through the Surgical Solutions Network of accredited surgical centres, patients with painful vertebral compression fractures may benefit from:

• Experienced spine surgeons and interventional specialists trained in kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty 
• Modern imaging and minimally invasive technology are used to perform these procedures safely and precisely 
• Timely access to care, helping to reduce prolonged pain and immobility 
• Exceptional safety, comfort, and education, and a coordinated, patient-centred team that supports you before, during, and after your procedure 

Your surgeon will work with you and your primary care team to develop a plan tailored to your goals, health status, and bone health needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty? 

Both procedures stabilise a fractured vertebra with bone cement, but the injection process differs slightly. Vertebroplasty injects cement directly into the bone, while kyphoplasty first uses a small balloon to create a cavity and, in some cases, partially restores height before cement is injected. 

Will my pain be completely gone after surgery? 

Many patients experience significant pain reduction, often within days. However, results vary. Some pain may persist, particularly if there are other causes of back pain such as arthritis, muscle strain, or additional fractures. 

Are these procedures safe? 

When performed by experienced specialists, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are generally considered safe; however, no procedure is entirely risk-free. Your surgeon will review potential risks and how they apply to you. 

Will I still need osteoporosis treatment afterwards? 

Yes. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty treat the fracture and pain but do not cure osteoporosis. Ongoing management of bone health is essential to reduce the risk of future fractures. 

Take the Next Step

If you have been diagnosed with a vertebral compression fracture or are living with persistent back pain that may be related to osteoporosis, we’re here to help. 

Contact Surgical Solutions Network, or call us at (888) 888-4250. A member of our care coordination team will guide you through your next steps and assist you in booking a spine surgery consultation with us in Toronto.